Weddings are beautiful. Joyous. AMAZING! But also … confusing. Even before you get into all of the plans and decisions, the very words that people use to talk about weddings can sound like another language. I've been shooting weddings for 12 years, and every once in a while I STILL encounter a new wedding word -- haha!
If you're new to the world of weddings, I have a helpful little glossary for you! I tried to focus on words that brides & grooms may not have heard before they get engaged and dip their toes into planning their weddings. If that's you, read on! And if that's NOT you, read on anyway! You might learn a new word to use in Scrabble. :)
Wedding Glossary
Arbor: An arch of branches, vines, and/or flowers that the bride & groom stand under to say their vows. Also sometimes called a "wedding arch."
Bustle: Fastening the wedding dress in back to lift the train off the ground. This is usually done for the reception to allow the bride to move & dance more easily. Bustling the dress is often accomplished with hidden buttons, Hooks, and/or strings. Below you can see a gown before and after being bustled.
If you're new to the world of weddings, I have a helpful little glossary for you! I tried to focus on words that brides & grooms may not have heard before they get engaged and dip their toes into planning their weddings. If that's you, read on! And if that's NOT you, read on anyway! You might learn a new word to use in Scrabble. :)
Wedding Glossary
Arbor: An arch of branches, vines, and/or flowers that the bride & groom stand under to say their vows. Also sometimes called a "wedding arch."
Bustle: Fastening the wedding dress in back to lift the train off the ground. This is usually done for the reception to allow the bride to move & dance more easily. Bustling the dress is often accomplished with hidden buttons, Hooks, and/or strings. Below you can see a gown before and after being bustled.
Day of Planner: A wedding coordinator who works with you primarily on the day of the wedding to make sure everything goes smoothly (as opposed to a full-service planner who works with you throughout all of the months leading up to the wedding).
Destination wedding: A wedding that takes place away from the couple's home. Often a destination wedding takes place in a dream vacation spot. If you're thinking about a destination wedding, you might find my quiz "Is a Destination Wedding Right for You?" helpful.
Dyables: Shoes, bags, and other items made from fabric that can be dyed to matched a swatch, so that they're the perfect color for your wedding palette.
Elope: Long ago, eloping meant getting married without telling your family, usually because they didn't approve. Now, eloping has evolved to mean any wedding that takes place with only the bride, groom, and officiant.
Escort cards: Cards that display the guest's name and indicate the table they have been assigned for the reception. Below left is a table of escort cards.
Destination wedding: A wedding that takes place away from the couple's home. Often a destination wedding takes place in a dream vacation spot. If you're thinking about a destination wedding, you might find my quiz "Is a Destination Wedding Right for You?" helpful.
Dyables: Shoes, bags, and other items made from fabric that can be dyed to matched a swatch, so that they're the perfect color for your wedding palette.
Elope: Long ago, eloping meant getting married without telling your family, usually because they didn't approve. Now, eloping has evolved to mean any wedding that takes place with only the bride, groom, and officiant.
Escort cards: Cards that display the guest's name and indicate the table they have been assigned for the reception. Below left is a table of escort cards.
First look: When the bride and groom see each other privately in their wedding attire before the ceremony. If you're debating having a first look, check out my post "To First Look or Not to First Look."
Grand entrance: The moment when the bride and groom are announced and enter the reception. The Grand entrance often leads directly into the first dance.
Officiant: The person who performs the wedding ceremony.
Processional: The part of the ceremony in which the wedding party and bride walk down the aisle. This can also refer to the music that plays during this time.
Recessional: The part of the wedding in which the newly married couple, followed by the wedding party, walk back down the aisle after the ceremony.
Signature cocktail: A specialty drink chosen just for the wedding. The recipe or name often has meaning for the couple.
Stationery suite: All of the stationery for the wedding: save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes ... everything. This is sometimes also called an "invitation suite." Above right is an image of a stationery suite.
Sweetheart table: A two-person table just for the bride & groom at the reception. Often decorated to stand out from the other tables.
Tablescape: The arrangement of the place settings, centerpieces, table numbers, and other decorations on the reception tables. Below is a gorgeous tablescape with a runner made of flowers.
Grand entrance: The moment when the bride and groom are announced and enter the reception. The Grand entrance often leads directly into the first dance.
Officiant: The person who performs the wedding ceremony.
Processional: The part of the ceremony in which the wedding party and bride walk down the aisle. This can also refer to the music that plays during this time.
Recessional: The part of the wedding in which the newly married couple, followed by the wedding party, walk back down the aisle after the ceremony.
Signature cocktail: A specialty drink chosen just for the wedding. The recipe or name often has meaning for the couple.
Stationery suite: All of the stationery for the wedding: save-the-dates, invitations, RSVP cards, envelopes ... everything. This is sometimes also called an "invitation suite." Above right is an image of a stationery suite.
Sweetheart table: A two-person table just for the bride & groom at the reception. Often decorated to stand out from the other tables.
Tablescape: The arrangement of the place settings, centerpieces, table numbers, and other decorations on the reception tables. Below is a gorgeous tablescape with a runner made of flowers.
Trousseau: The clothes, linens, and other items that a bride saves for her wedding and new married life. Often includes pretty lingerie.
Trunk show: A special sale where wedding dress designers travel to a store and offer their gowns directly to the customers. It often includes a discounted price or the ability to purchase gowns that are not otherwise available.
Wedding fragrance: A special perfume that the bride reserves for the wedding (and later may wear on anniversaries).
I hope this glossary helps to take some of the confusion out of weddings! Or help you improve your Scrabble game :).
-----------> Now that you know a little of the terminology, you might be a little more prepared for finding the right vendors for your wedding! Click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Download your FREE copy today!
Trunk show: A special sale where wedding dress designers travel to a store and offer their gowns directly to the customers. It often includes a discounted price or the ability to purchase gowns that are not otherwise available.
Wedding fragrance: A special perfume that the bride reserves for the wedding (and later may wear on anniversaries).
I hope this glossary helps to take some of the confusion out of weddings! Or help you improve your Scrabble game :).
-----------> Now that you know a little of the terminology, you might be a little more prepared for finding the right vendors for your wedding! Click here to download a FREE form to help you through the decision-making process! We've created a convenient form to help you track and compare your top 3 vendors in each category. Download your FREE copy today!
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